Revision as of 11:00, 17 December 2010

Contents

Creation of a Package

To create a package a project leader or committer must agree to be a package maintainer. The package maintainer is responsible for defining the contents of the package and arrange for testing of the package.

To define a package the package maintainer will need to specify the package contents based on the EPP package configuration file format. The package maintainer will need to store this file in their cvs repository and then inform the EPP team, via a bugzilla entry, the location of the file. The EPP team will then begin to automatically build the package based on the config file.

What can be included in a Package?

Packages must only contain code from Eclipse projects

Packages should usually only contain code from projects that have passed their 1.0 creation review, and if exceptions are found, the code must still have passed an Eclipse Release Review.

Packages should attempt to include code from a variety of projects, while maintaining a coherent theme to the package, balanced with download and install size, fitting with the desires and suggestions of the community.

By default, each package will contain the Eclipse Usage Data Collector (UDC). The EPP build process will automatically include it in the package, so the package maintainer does not need to specify it.

Testing of a Package

The package maintainer is responsible for testing the package. The package maintainer should arrange for a number of committers and community members to act as testers. The type and degree of testing may vary but is expected to at least confirm that all the projects basically work together with no immediate problems introduced by being packaged together. In all cases the type of testing and test cases should be documented. EPP will define a process for each package maintainer to identify that the package has been tested, the type of testing and that the package is ready for download.

Publishing of Packages

A new web site will be created to publish the different packages. This new web site will be directly accessible from the download page. The packaging page will show all the available packages and use social networking techniques to influence the order and display of the packages. For instance, the number of time a package is download will be visible, the names of the project maintainers and testers will be associated with the project or maybe individuals can vote/recommend a package. The Eclipse Foundation will also continue to list 4-5 packages directly on the download page.

How to Get Started?

If you would like to create a package, we ask that you open a bugzilla request for EPP, using the ‘package content’ component [EPP]. In the bugzilla bug, please specify a description of the package you would like to create, including the intended targeted user and the feature set of the package. You will then need to create a package configuration file together with the EPP team and then specify the location of the file. You will then need to create an package configuration file and then specify the location of the file. Please add this location to the bugzilla request. EPP builds the packages on a nightly basis, so once your package is defined, we will start building it.

EPP is also releasing packages for each milestone and release candidate for Ganymede. If you would like your package to be built for M5, we ask that you please have it defined before February 11.

We are just starting this process so your feedback and support is welcome. It will take sometime to make it perfect but the intention is to have a number of packages available in time for the Ganymede release.